drag racing is a different sport than nascar but as for danica patrick's accomplishment, the drivers were just as thrilled. >> reporter: three different cars. all three moving fast. all blanketing the crowd in smoke, all driven by women. >> it was 126 miles per hour. >> my dad got me interested in racing. great place to meet guys. >> i always had it in my blood. >> reporter: all three have been drag racing for 20 years. it is far different from nascar but they are thrilled with danica patrick and what she accomplished. >> i was so excited for her. that is huge. >> appreciate what she did for women in general. great accomplishment. >> reporter: danica patrick began the first woman to win the lead spot to start the daytona 500 after posting a lap at 196 miles per hour. >> that was very -- i was very proud to see she is a racer. she is a racer first and she qualified because she is a faster racer. >> reporter: nascar is the more popular sport but it lags behind drag racing in some respect. women have been racing for some time. >> we are getting better and better. >> reporter: they think